Question 1

what are the chances of coming out of remission of leukemia?

Accepted Answer

It depends: It all depends upon the type of leukemia. Leukemia is not one disease and response rates vary according to the type of leukemia.

Question 2

my best friend is in remission from stage 4 leukemia. is there a large chance that it will return?

Accepted Answer

Need more info: We need to know: what type of Leukemia does he have? In young adults it could be AML or ALL. They have differing prognosis(ALL is more curable). When did he achieve Complete remission(CR)? The risk of relapse is higher in the first 2 years after CR and then it decreases with each year. So this time table is important. How old is your friend and where was he/she treated? which Medical facility?

Question 3

what are the percentages of adult chronic leukemia going into remission?

Accepted Answer

Depends on type.: The most common chronic leukemia is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (cll).  With initial treatment with the most aggressive treatments, such as fcr have a response rate of 95% and complete remission rate of 70%.  Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has a 95% rate of complete cytogenetic response for chronic phase patients receiving initial therapy with the latest drugs.

Question 4

what is the life expectancy of a person with chronic lgl leukemia that is under control but not in remission?

Accepted Answer

Years: This is a rare entity with a good prognosis.  It responds to treatment, but is not completely eliminated.

Question 5

how long after being in remission with leukemia are you be considered cancer free?

Accepted Answer

Difficult question: Part of this depends on the type of leukemia: acute or chronic. The standard thought is 5 years for acute leukemia. However, the risk of relapse is significantly high in the first 2 years, so every year after this reduces the risk of recurrence significantly if you are followed closely by your oncologist.

Question 6

i have leukemia but now in remission and i want to know if i can get and piercings or tattoos?

Accepted Answer

Depends on labs: Universal precautions (clean needles, etc) should be used independent of leukemia status. You could get tattoos/piercings otherwise if your labs were okay -- platelet  count normal (or >50k), WBC (particularly absolute neutrophil count = ANC normal). Check with your treating physician first of course.

Question 7

i read that apl leukemia is very curable now but my cousin died from it after being in remission for 1.5 years. why?

Accepted Answer

EVERY CASE: is DIFFERENT and many times when a disease like Leukemia recurs it does as a slightly different type. Besides that consideration COMPLICATIONS of THERAPY (eg infection) leads to untoward results.

Hope this is helpful
Dr Z

Question 8

is it safe to get a tattoo considering that i had leukemia 20 years ago that has since been in remission?

Accepted Answer

Maybe not: There has been some concern of transmission of hepatitis b and c virus through tattoong.  We cannot assume that all needles and paint in tattooing parlors are sterilized appropriately.  Besides, tattooing produces micro wounds to the skin with the theoretical possibility of producing wounds and infection. I would probably advice against it.

Question 9

what does high blast cells mean that show up in a regular cbc? i have leukemia n can't go into remission, so i feel like my doctor has given up on me.

Accepted Answer

Consult: I'm sorry about your illness. Some types of leukemia are often curable; others are not. The fact that you have written tells me that this is time for a review by a second specialist in leukemia -- not because i suspect error, but because communication may have broken down. You have an absolute right both to clear answers (outlook, options) and to feel cared-for regardless of your illness's course.

Question 10

25f, leukemia(aml) since 2011, can't go bk into remission, wbc is now 53.7. they started me on hdyrea, is this going to help my wbc go down?

Accepted Answer

Yes it usually does: Hyderea is commonly used to lower the WBC count. But it does not do much to the basic leukemia process. Have you considered a bone marrow transplant as a treatment for your leukemia?. I realise it is awfully expensive and may not be covered by insurence but it is worth exploring.

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Doctor answers about:

What are the chances of coming out of remission of leukemia

A member asked:

What are the chances of coming out of remission of leukemia?

A member asked:

My best friend is in remission from stage 4 leukemia. is there a large chance that it will return?

A member asked:

What are the percentages of adult chronic leukemia going into remission?

A member asked:

What is the life expectancy of a person with chronic lgl leukemia that is under control but not in remission?

A member asked:

How long after being in remission with leukemia are you be considered cancer free?

A member asked:

I have leukemia but now in remission and i want to know if i can get and piercings or tattoos?

A member asked:

I read that apl leukemia is very curable now but my cousin died from it after being in remission for 1.5 years. why?

A member asked:

Is it safe to get a tattoo considering that i had leukemia 20 years ago that has since been in remission?

A member asked:

What does high blast cells mean that show up in a regular cbc? i have leukemia n can't go into remission, so i feel like my doctor has given up on me.

A member asked:

25f, leukemia(aml) since 2011, can't go bk into remission, wbc is now 53.7. they started me on hdyrea, is this going to help my wbc go down?

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